Page 60 - A GRAMMAR OF BHOJPURI _ PhD Dissertation 2020 TU

approach views that only descriptions are not enough to get at the essential nature of
language, they must be explained for why they exist so.

This framework seeks for analysis outside the system of language, so, the
explanations in the study are focused on the fact that grammatical rules do not produce
words and phrases in vacuum. The structures they produce are used purposive and

contextual. In this framework, we have sought explanations in coherence processing,
economy, perception-cognition and iconicity. We have provided examples mostly from

our discourse data and partially also from the elicited clauses. We have made efforts to
highlight the typologically significant features of the language. Within this study, we

have analyzed basically the propositional information and multi-propositional discourse
preceded by a general overview of the conceptual lexicon (word classes). Consequently,

the structures of morphology, syntax and discourse in Bhojpuri have been analyzed at
lexical (i.e., conceptual), propositional (i.e., clausal) and multi-propositional (i.e.,
discourse) levels, making efforts "to explain why some forms coincide consequently

with some functions than ones" (Regmi 2007:13).
Therefore, Givón (1984, 2001a, 2001b and 2009) were taken as the guideline

for the overall theoretical framework while accomplishing this study, though insights
were also sought from Shopen (1985, 2007a, 2007b and 2007c), Dixon (2010a and b,

2012), Noonan (2006), Rice (2006) and Bright (2006) among others. Besides, as
Bhojpuri is an Indo-Aryan language, Grierson (1884a, 1884b, 1903a, 1903b, 1903c,

1904 and 1909), Masica (1976, 1991 and 1993), Verma (2003) and Subbārāo (2012)
were proved very helpful for typological implications.

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